Court hearing arguments on NFL concussions

Court hearing in Philly on NFL concussions will determine if players can sue, seek damages

Former NFL player Dorsey Levens, left, walks to the U.S. Courthouse Tuesday, April 9, 2013, in Philadelphia for a hearing to determine whether the NFL faces years of litigation over concussion-related brain injuries. Thousands of former players have accused league officials of concealing what they knew about the risk of playing after a concussion. The lawsuits allege the league glorified violence as the game became a $9 billion-a-year industry. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Former NFL players trying to sue the league over concussion-linked injuries have argued in court that the NFL "glorified" violence and profited from damaging hits to the head.

Players' lawyer David Frederick also called the NFL's brain-injury committee "a sham" that spread misinformation.

Frederick's remarks came in a pivotal hearing Tuesday in Philadelphia on lawsuits filed by about 4,200 former players and their families.

Some players are suffering from dementia or depression, and fault the league for rushing them back on the field.

NFL lawyer Paul Clement says the teams bear primary responsibility for health and safety under the players' contract. And he says injury claims belong in arbitration under the collective bargaining agreement.

U.S. District Judge Anita Brody appears most interested in whether the contract gives anyone specific responsibility for latent brain injuries.